Emma Robarts

Emma Robarts (died 1 May 1877) was a British Christian activist who formed a group known as the Prayer Union.

The idea of offering prayers was popular and within four years, there were brackets throughout the United Kingdom.

The group had initially called themselves the "Young Women's Christian Association" echoing the YMCA which had been formed in 1844, however in 1855, they settled on the name of the "Prayer Union".

By 1872, there were 130 branches in Britain supplying Bible study, group prayer and social events.

Robarts died on 1 May 1877, before the merger was announced at the end of the year that created "The London Young Women's Institute Union and Christian Association".